Days To Maturity
The average number of days from when the plant is actively growing in the garden to the expected time of harvest.

85-90 days

Fruit Weight
The average weight of the fruit produced by this product.

6 pounds

Sun
The amount of sunlight this product needs daily in order to perform well in the garden. Full sun means 6 hours of direct sun per day; partial sun means 2-4 hours of direct sun per day; shade means little or no direct sun.

Full Sun

Spread
The width of the plant at maturity.

48 inches

Height
The typical height of this product at maturity.

24-30 inches

Sow Method
This refers to whether the seed should be sown early indoors and the seedlings transplanted outside later, or if the seed should be sown directly in the garden at the recommended planting time.

Sow 4-6 seeds in groups about 3 inches apart. Each group should be about 4-6 feet apart. Cover with 1 inch of fine soil and firm lightly.

Keep evenly moist.

Seedlings emerge in 7-14 days.

Do not plant pumpkins and other squash family crops in the same spot 2 years in a row.

How to Grow

Thin seedlings to 2-3 per group when they are 1-2 inches high

Keep weeds under control during the growing season. Weeds compete with plants for water, space and nutrients, so control them by either cultivating often or use a mulch to prevent their seeds from germinating.

Keep plants well-watered during the growing season, especially during dry spells. Plants need about 1-2 inches of rain per week during the growing season. Use a rain gauge to check to see if you need to add water. It's best to water with a drip or trickle system that delivers water at low pressure at the soil level. If you water with overhead sprinklers, water early in the day so the foliage has time to dry off before evening, to minimize disease problems. Keep the soil moist but not saturated.

Pumpkins have both male and female flowers on the same plant. Male flowers will open first and the female flowers will open later. The female flower has a miniature fruit behind the blossom.

Do not move or step on vines as they are quite fragile.

Monitor for pests and diseases. Check with your local Cooperative Extension Service for pest controls recommended for your area.

If you are trying to grow extra-large pumpkins, allow only one fruit per plant to mature.

Beds of vigorous, sprawling pumpkin vines can be bordered by corn, towering pole beans, sunflowers and other trellised or vine vegetables.

Harvest & Preserving

Pumpkins are ready to harvest when the rinds are hard and a rich shade of orange or white depending on the variety.

If a light frost kills the vines, the pumpkins are ready to harvest. Pumpkins are damaged by heavy frost.

Cut pumpkins from the vine with a pruning shears, leaving about 3 inches of stem attached.